Pat Thomas has devoted her life to helping thousands of sick children in her 40-year career as a nurse.

So long has been her dedication to caring that Pat is now treating the youngsters of the same mums and dads she nursed in the early part of her career.

But, as one of the longest-serving children's nurses in South Wales, 58-year-old Pat is adamant she wants no gushing tributes on what she has achieved as she moves towards her retirement in January.

'I've loved every minute and the 40 years has gone like a flash - I cannot believe it's gone so fast,' she said.

It was back in the mid-1950s that the seeds were first sown for Pat's longing to take up nursing.

'I had a lung condition when I was eight and nine years old and regularly spent months at a time in Swansea's Morriston Hospital,' she said.

'But what impressed me as a child was the work of the nurses and I made up my mind there and then this is what I wanted to do.'

That dream came true when, at 18, student nurse Pat started her general training at Cardiff Royal Infirmary on December 29, 1965 - a date she clearly remembers today.

After six years of getting experience in adult medical and surgery wards, as well as training to be a midwife, Pat was switched in 1971 to help out in the Infirmary's John Nixon children's ward.

'They were short staffed and I was asked if I would help out for six months but I loved the job from day one and have been with children ever since,' she said.

It was while at the Infirmary that Pat, of Whitchurch, Cardiff, saw the whole range of childhood illnesses, sickness, surgery and kidney problems and conditions that are rarely seen today, such as caring for youngsters with spina bifida.

'What I learnt during my 20 years at the Infirmary was that children get sick quickly and then hopefully get better very quickly,' said Pat.

'Of course, there are times when you lose a child and that's very sad - you are left with lovely memories and my view is it's been a privilege to be part of their short lives.'

But one of the most harrowing memories of Pat's nursing life was as a student nurse at the CRI in October 1966, when she woke up after coming off night duty to see one of the long corridors full of children's cots.

'We knew nothing of what had happened but it was the day of the Aberfan Disaster and the cots were being readied for any children that survived,' she said.

'Of course those that did were not admitted and those cots were not needed for those that died.'

A total of 116 children died on that day October 21, when a slag heap engulfed the Pantglas Infant School in the Aberfan village.

'It's a sensitive subject to this day and we were prepared but not needed,' she added.

'It is still so sad.'

With the imminent closure of the Infirmary in 1999, Pat was switched from the Infirmary to the University Hospital of Wales, again caring for children.

But this year Pat made another move into the new Children's Hospital for Wales, which she described as a lovely experience.

'There is a buzz here with the nurses, doctors, cleaners all playing their part - that makes it so special,' she said.

'All we have at the moment is the first phase and I would love to see the whole project completed as soon as possible.'

Pat retires on January 10 but will not be going with any regrets.

She said: 'I've been lucky to do what I dreamed of as a child - being a nurse. To look after the children has been a privilege and to see the young nurses I trained now in senior positions has been very warming.'

Pat says she now plans a happy retirement with her husband Tony with as much contact as possible with their two 'wonderful' grandchildren, Alex and George.